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Nominal and modifiers A1
Nominal and modifiers – A1 level
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• Nominal and modifiers
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Language: English
Level: A1 (Beginner)
Topics covered: Nominal and modifiers
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Table of Contents
NOMINAL AND MODIFIERS ........................................................................................................... 5
PRONOUNS ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
Subject pronouns ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Object pronouns ............................................................................................................................................. 6
Use of the pronoun 'one' ................................................................................................................................ 7
Interrogative words ......................................................................................................................................... 9
‘How much’ – ‘How many’ ............................................................................................................................ 12
Possessive pronouns ..................................................................................................................................... 13
'Everybody' - 'Nobody' .................................................................................................................................. 15
'Everybody' - 'Somebody' - 'Nobody' ............................................................................................................ 16
Relative pronouns and adverbs..................................................................................................................... 17
'Which' - 'What' ............................................................................................................................................. 19
NOUNS................................................................................................................................................................. 21
The plural ...................................................................................................................................................... 21
Construction of compound nouns ................................................................................................................. 22
Use of compound nouns ............................................................................................................................... 23
Nouns without singular forms ....................................................................................................................... 24
Singular nouns in '-s' ..................................................................................................................................... 25
ADJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................................................... 26
Placing the adjectives .................................................................................................................................... 26
Verbs expressing impressions and feelings ................................................................................................... 27
Adjective + infinitive ....................................................................................................................................... 28
DETERMINERS ........................................................................................................................................................ 29
Definite and indefinite articles ...................................................................................................................... 29
The difference between 'a' and 'an' ................................................................................................................ 30
Possessive adjectives .................................................................................................................................... 31
The possessive ............................................................................................................................................... 32
Demonstratives ............................................................................................................................................. 33
'Some' - 'Any' ................................................................................................................................................. 34
The elliptic genitive ........................................................................................................................................ 36
The article and geographical names ............................................................................................................. 37
'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many' .................................................................................................................................. 39
'Little' - 'A little' - 'Much' ............................................................................................................................... 40
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NOMINAL AND MODIFIERS - SOLUTIONS .................................................................................... 41
PRONOUNS – SOLUTION(S) ...................................................................................................................................... 41
Subject pronouns – Solution(s) ..................................................................................................................... 41
Object pronouns – Solution(s) ...................................................................................................................... 41
Use of the pronoun 'one' – Solution(s) ......................................................................................................... 42
Interrogative words – Solution(s).................................................................................................................. 42
‘How much’ – ‘How many’ – Solution(s) ....................................................................................................... 43
Possessive pronouns – Solution(s) ................................................................................................................ 44
'Everybody' - 'Nobody' – Solution(s) ............................................................................................................. 44
Relative pronouns and adverbs – Solution(s) ............................................................................................... 45
'Which' - 'What' – Solution(s) ........................................................................................................................ 45
NOUNS – SOLUTION(S)............................................................................................................................................ 45
The plural – Solution(s) ................................................................................................................................. 45
Construction of compound nouns – Solution(s) ............................................................................................ 46
Use of compound nouns – Solution(s) .......................................................................................................... 46
Nouns without singular forms – Solution(s) .................................................................................................. 46
Singular nouns in '-s' – Solution(s) ................................................................................................................ 46
ADJECTIVES – SOLUTION(S) ...................................................................................................................................... 47
Placing the adjectives – Solution(s) ............................................................................................................... 47
Verbs expressing impressions and feelings – Solution(s) .............................................................................. 47
Adjective + infinitive – Solution(s).................................................................................................................. 47
DETERMINERS – SOLUTION(S) ................................................................................................................................... 48
Definite and indefinite articles – Solution(s) ................................................................................................. 48
The difference between 'a' and 'an' – Solution(s) .......................................................................................... 48
Possessive adjectives – Solution(s) ............................................................................................................... 48
The possessive – Solution(s) .......................................................................................................................... 49
Demonstratives – Solution(s) ........................................................................................................................ 49
'Some' - 'Any' – Solution(s) ............................................................................................................................ 50
The article and geographical names – Solution(s) ........................................................................................ 50
'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many' – Solution(s) ............................................................................................................. 51
'Little' - 'A little' - 'Much' – Solution(s) .......................................................................................................... 51
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Nominal and modifiers
Pronouns
Subject pronouns
Singular Plural
1st person I We
2nd person You You
3rd person:
masculine He They
feminine She They
neuter It They
Subject pronouns – Exercise – The right word
are married.
We - It – I
Subject pronouns – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
is my brother.
Do have a sister? Does have a job?
am a teacher.
you - I - she - he
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Object pronouns
Form
Pronouns Singular Plural
1st person Me Us
2nd person You You
3rd person:
masculine Him Them
Feminine Her Them
neuter It Them
Use
They are used as direct or indirect complements to the object.
They are always placed after the verb.
When a verb is followed by a particle, the object pronoun is always put between the verb and the
particle.
Example:
• She's looking at me.
• We'll pick you up at eight.
• I'll give them the papers.
Object pronouns – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
I Me
You
He
She
It
We
They
Object pronouns – Exercise – The right word
Can I deliver on Friday the fifth?
the - they - them
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Use of the pronoun 'one'
The pronoun 'one' (or 'ones' in the plural) is used after an adjective to replace:
A countable noun already expressed.
Example:
• I bought a red shirt and a blue one.
• She saw some beautiful homes and some
ugly ones too.
A noun that hasn't been expressed.
Example:
• That's a nice one.
• The sensible ones have done their
homework.
'One' is sometimes omitted in a question expressing a choice (with which one), in literary language,
or, in a general sense, after a superlative.
Example:
• Which one will you take, the blue one or the yellow one?
• Spanish bulls are more fiery than Mexican ones. (D.H. Lawrence)
• Your suit is the most beautiful one.
Note: 'One' is not used to replace:
A noun indicating a person or a
generalization.
Example:
• A blond woman and a dark-haired woman.
(instead of 'a dark-haired one').
• American cars are often bigger than French
cars. (instead of 'French ones').
An uncountable noun (after an adjective).
Example:
• Italian coffee is stronger than American
coffee.
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Use of the pronoun 'one'– Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
a chocolate cake, a marble cake a chocolate cake and a marble one
A big chicken, a small chicken
One strawberry tart, one apple tart
Some frozen peas, some fresh peas
Two blueberry muffins, one bran muffin
A yellow onion, a white onion
Four paper bags, two plastic bags
Use of the pronoun 'one'– Exercise – The right word
Which of these actors do you prefer? This !
ones - that - two - won – one
Use of the pronoun 'one'– Exercise – Fill in the blanks
I need a comb. Do you have ?
What is ? It's a pencil. Where is ? On my desk.
Good !
Yes, I think .
idea - it - this - so - one
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Interrogative words
Interrogative words introduce questions which cannot be answered with yes or no.
The main interrogatives are:
• Who
• Where
• How
• What
• Why
• Which
• When
• Whose
Who always refers to people.
The structure of a who question varies
depending on whether who refers to the
object or the subject of the question.
Example:
• Who is the President?
• Who are you?
Example:
• Subject: Who asked you? (sb asked you)
• Object: Who did you ask? (you asked sb)
Which refers to either people or things. Example:
• Which teacher do you like?
• Which poem are they studying?
What can also refer to people, but usually
refers to things.
Example:
• What sport do you play?
• What is her job?
How expresses the manner or means of
an action.
How, as an adjective or adverb, is used to
inquire about someone's well-being,
enjoyment or progress.
How can come before an adjective or an
adverb to express degree
Example:
• How do you spell your name? (manner)
• S-M-I-T-H.
• How do you go to work? (means)
• By bus.
Example:
• How are you?
• How do they like their new apartment?
• How is your new job going?
Example:
• How long is the movie? (adjective)
• How often does he play tennis? (adverb)
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Why inquires about the reason behind an
event or action
Example:
• Why don't you like her?
• Why are they taking the train?
Where refers to a location Example:
• Where is the museum?
• Where can I buy stamps?
When refers to a time or date. Example:
• When does it open?
• When do we leave?
Whose refers to possession. Example:
• Whose shirt is this?
• Whose is that?
Questions using interrogative words are generally formed using the following structure:
Interrogative word + Auxiliary/Modal + Subject + Verb
Example:
• What are you eating?
• Where does the train go?
• Who can I visit?
If the question contains a preposition, it is placed at the end of the sentence.
Example:
• What were you listening to?
• Who is she talking about?
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Interrogative words – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
how (you / to spell) it How do you spell it?
Where (he / to work)
How (she / to call back)
Who (we / to want)
What (they / to want)
How (it / to speak)
Who (I / to phone)
Interrogative words – Exercise – The right word
is the Statue of Liberty?
Was - Who - When - Whence – Where
Interrogative words – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
ruler is mine?
is the stapler?
did you put it there?
tape is this?
which - why - whose - where
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‘How much’ – ‘How many’
How much and how many are interrogative adjectives of quantity.
How much is used before an uncountable
noun.
How many is used before a plural countable
noun.
Example:
• How much sauce do you want?
• How many friends do you have?
The noun or noun phrase can also be
implied.
Example:
• How much (money) is it?
• How many (books) do you have?
‘How much’ – ‘How many’– Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
How (much / many) eggs How many eggs
How (much / many) bread
How (much / many) money
How (much / many) people
How (much / many) soda
How (much / many) books
How (much / many) time
‘How much’ – ‘How many’– Exercise – The right word
tea would you like?
How old - How many - How - How much
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Possessive pronouns
Form
Pronouns Singular Plural
1st person Mine Ours
2nd person Yours Yours
3rd person:
masculine His Theirs
Feminine Hers Theirs
neuter Its Theirs
Use
The possessive pronoun replaces a noun phrase. It is never preceded by a determiner.
It doesn't vary in function with the nominal group that it replaces.
Example:
• This skirt is mine (my skirt).
• These skirts are mine (my skirts).
In the third person singular, the possessive pronoun agrees with the gender and number of the
possessor.
Example:
• This is Edward's hat - This is his.
• I like her shoes - I like hers.
Possessive pronouns – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
it's our office it's ours
it's his task
it's my job
it's your team
it's her project
it's their secret
it's our responsibility
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Possessive pronouns – Exercise – Word order
isn't - the - as - This is - ours, - same - carpet - it?
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'Everybody' - 'Nobody'
Everybody is the combination of every and body. Everybody (synonym of everyone) is singular.
Example: Everybody thinks he's clever.
In the negative form, everybody becomes nobody.
Nobody (synonym of no one) is singular. This pronoun is followed by a verb in the positive form.
Example: Nobody is home.
'Everybody' - 'Nobody' – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite the following sentences as in the example:
My co-workers are very friendly. Everybody is very friendly.
My co-workers work very hard.
My co-workers don't arrive late at the office.
My co-workers are really helpful.
'Everybody' - 'Nobody' – Exercise – Word order
called - being - nobody - likes - stupid!
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'Everybody' - 'Somebody' - 'Nobody'
'Everybody', 'somebody' and 'nobody' take singular verbs. However, the pronouns and adjectives
that take the '-body' forms as their antecedents are often those of the third person plural.
Example:
• Everybody was enjoying themselves.
• Somebody has to go shopping, don't they?
• Nobody really knows, do they?
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Relative pronouns and adverbs
A - The Relative Pronouns
Who is the relative subject pronoun
(singular and plural) that refers to a person.
Example:
• I like people who are honest.
That and which are the relative subject
pronouns and direct and indirect objects
(singular and plural).
That is restrictive, while which is not.
Example:
• She's reading a book that makes her laugh.
• The shoes, which I bought yesterday, hurt
my feet.
Whom is the relative indirect object
pronoun (singular and plural) that refers to
an animate antecedent.
Note: Whom is often replaced by who.
Example:
• The boy whom you met is my cousin.
• Here is the woman whom you were looking
at.
Whose and of which replace a noun phrase
object to the noun:
Whose refers to an animate or inanimate
antecedent.
Of which refers to an inanimate antecedent.
Example:
• The girl whose dad is a scientist is very
clever. (Animate antecedent.)
• Her room is the one whose door is locked.
(Inanimate antecedent.)
Example:
• She's in the room the door of which is
locked.
What and which are the relative subject and
object pronouns (direct and indirect) that
announce or continue previous clauses.
Example:
• I don't understand what you're saying.
• Darkness is what I'm afraid of.
• He said he's lazy, which is true.
• She'll give a party, which I'm excited about.
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B - The Relative Adverbs
When replaces an adverbial phrase of time.
Example:
• The day when he arrived, his family wasn't
there.
Where replaces an adverbial phrase of
place.
Example:
• We live in a place where the sun shines very
often.
(The reason) why replaces an adverbial
phrase of cause.
Example: I don't know why he's so angry.
Relative pronouns and Adverbs – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
just before one thousand?
I know to spell Tuesday.
I also know Thursday, that's I play tennis.
are you? In my bedroom.
what's - when - how - where
Relative pronouns and Adverbs – Exercise – Word order
named - who - I - man - Slim - a - anything - but - met - was - that
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'Which' - 'What'
'What' and 'which' may introduce non-interrogative clauses.
In such a case:
'What,' which has no antecedent, introduces
a relative clause which may be subject or
object to the sentence's main verb.
Example:
• What worries me is how he'll get here.
'Which' relates to an antecedent which may
be a noun, noun phrase, or clause.
Example:
• She often smiles, which is nice.
• You're inspecting the downtown branch,
which has higher operating costs than the
others.
In an interrogative clause:
'What' is used generally to convey a choice
between or among things.
Example:
• What books do you prefer?
• What kind of services do you want?
• What time do they open?
'Which,' which may precede both things and
people, conveys a choice between or among
a limited number of possibilities.
Note: 'Which' is sometimes followed by 'one'.
Example:
• Which friend did you invite?
• Which of these shirts is yours?
• Which airline did you choose?
Example: Which one do you prefer?
Both 'which' and 'what' are used to talk about choices. When used as question words, they are
often interchangeable.
Example:
• What/which products are you interested in?
• What/which size would you prefer?
Note: 'What' usually refers to objects, and not people. 'Which' refers to both objects and people.
Example:
• Which colleagues are coming to the meeting?
• What file are you looking for?
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There are small differences in meaning between 'which' and 'what'.
Generally, use 'what' to talk about a large and indefinite number of choices.
Use 'which' when the number of choices is limited and definite. To ask for more information about
available choices, you can follow 'what' with expressions such as kind/s of, sort/s of, or type/s of.
Example:
• What kinds of services do you offer? (Services are indefinite)
• What books do you recommend on the topic? (Any books, rather than specific books)
• What type of material is this made from?
• We have five different sizes. Which size do you prefer? (There are only five possible sizes)
• Which way should I turn when I get to Coldcreek Street? (Right or left?)
Note: You can only use which before the pronoun one.
Example:
• We have several colors available.
• Which one do you like best?
When which refers to something mentioned immediately before, you may refer back to it
without repeating the noun or using a pronoun.
Example:
• We have coffee, tea, or mineral water.
• Which do you prefer?
Which and what may fall before a given set of choices.
Example:
• Which do you think is more appropriate: an e-mail or a letter?
'Which' - 'What' – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
is your favorite season?
many people are with you?
time is it?
is your birthday?
when - how - what - which
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Nouns
The plural
In general, the plural is formed by adding an
–s to the end of the noun.
Example:
• a book - books
• a house - houses
Nouns that end with an -s, -sh, -ch and -x, as
well as certain other nouns that end with an
-o, have a plural ending of -es.
Example:
• bus - buses box - boxes
• dish - dishes beach - beaches
• tomato - tomatoes
Nouns that end with a -y often have a plural
ending of -ies.
Example:
• family - families
Some nouns have irregular plural endings.
The main ones are:
man – men
woman – women
foot - feet child - children
The plural – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
a skirt (black) a black skirt
The women (beautiful)
Hair (long)
A restaurant (Vietnamese)
The eyes (brown)
A question (hard)
The socks (ugly)
The plural – Exercise – The right word
Are they your ?
babysitter - brother - daughter - children
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Construction of compound nouns
The compound noun is made up of a
principal noun preceded by one or several
nouns or a noun phrase that has the same
function as an adjective.
Example:
• An alarm clock, a bedroom, the London-New
York flight
The first element is always in the singular,
even if it has a plural sense, except if it exists
only in the plural form or if there is risk of
ambiguity.
Example:
• Ski boots, a clothes factory, a goods-train
(risk of ambiguity if 'good' was in the singular )
Most compound nouns are written as two
(or several) separate words. Some of them
are written with a dash, others as a single
word.
Note: The same compound noun can sometimes
be written as two words, with a dash or as single
word.
Example:
• A great-grandfather, housework
Example:
• Ice-cream, ice cream.
Construction of compound nouns – Exercise – Word order
increasing - figures - are - Our - sales
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Use of compound nouns
The first element of the compound noun is used to determine the second.
Different meanings exist between the terms of a compound noun: ownership, composition,
purpose, aim...
Example:
• The castle dungeon, a pearl necklace, a jewelry box, a tennis racket
Note: A compound noun cannot express the idea of a cause or a group, or refer to the contents of a
container.
Example:
• A cry of joy, a group of tourists, a gallery of paintings
Use of compound nouns – Exercise – Word order
representative - the - twenty scanners - sold - sales - this week.
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Nouns without singular forms
Some plural nouns have no singular forms. These include the following:
Certain nouns referring to objects composed
of two symmetrical parts, e.g. 'jeans',
'shorts’, 'pajamas', 'pants', or 'scissors'.
Note: When used as countable nouns, such
nouns are preceded by 'a pair of'.
Example:
• My pants are too short.
• She bought two pairs of scissors.
Certain collective nouns, e.g. 'clothes’,
'goods,' 'people,' 'cattle,' or 'poultry'.
Note:
At times, 'people' is the plural form of 'person'.
'Head of cattle', in which 'head' is invariable, is
the singular of 'cattle'.
The rare 'article of clothing' is the singular of
'clothes'.
Example:
• People are very friendly here.
Example:
• There were ten people at the party.
• They have ten head of cattle.
'savings’, 'riches' and 'remains' Example:
• She used her savings to invest in a start-up.
Nouns without singular forms– Exercise – The right word
can be used to cut hair.
Calendars - Erasers - Sharpeners - Scissors - Wineglasses - Grass mowers
Nouns without singular forms– Exercise – Fill in the blanks
This is a pencil .
tape.
A stapler? Use the . Are these your ?
I need a comb. Do you have one? No, but I have a .
sharpener - Scotch - scissors - brush - glue
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Singular nouns in '-s'
Some nouns end in '-s' in the singular.
The uncountable noun 'news' is always
singular.
Example:
• I watch the six o'clock news. (singular use,
plural sense)
• This is an interesting piece of news.
(singular use, singular sense)
'Means' may be singular or plural.
Example:
• Subways are an excellent means of
transport in cities. (singular use, singular
sense)
• Use whatever means are necessary. (plural
use, plural sense)
Singular nouns in '-s' – Exercise – Word order
day, - was the - had - on - icing - a - but - your - nice - good news - I - the cake.
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Adjectives
Placing the adjectives
The qualifying adjective is always invariable.
Example:
• Beautiful dresses
• They are crazy
The attributive adjective is placed before
the noun.
Example:
• A red apple
• Very interesting movies
Placing the adjectives – Exercise – The right word
water is extremely hot.
Boiling - Ocean - Lukewarm - Well-done - Medium heat
Placing the adjectives – Exercise – Sentence practice
Put the following phrases in the right order:
computers / these / large / are These are large computers.
cheap / are / computers / they
is / expensive / an / it / computer
is / saleswoman / a / she / new
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Verbs expressing impressions and feelings
Verbs expressing impressions and feelings- 'to look', 'to sound', 'to smell', 'to taste', 'to feel'- may be
followed by:
The preposition 'like'
Example:
• He looks like his father.
• It sounds like you're angry.
• It smells like smoke.
• It feels like velvet.
• This cake tastes just like the one I had
yesterday.
'as if / as though'
Example:
• You look as if you didn't (or don't)
understand me.
• It sounds as if you weren't (or aren't)
listening to me.
• It smelt as if she had burnt something.
• These potatoes taste as if I added too much
salt.
• I felt as if I were (or was) going to fall asleep.
an adjective
Example:
• He looks happy.
• This ice cream tastes very good.
• It feels funny to write with my left hand.
• I felt so sick!
Note: 'To be', 'to seem', and 'to appear' (all of which can indicate impressions) may also be followed
by 'like' and 'as if'.
Example:
• What was the dinner like?
• She seems as if she's going to get very mad.
Verbs expressing impressions and feelings – Exercise – Word order
look - like - the villa - It - the - doesn't- in - brochure!
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Adjective + infinitive
To describe or qualify an action, sentences are sometimes formed with an adjective + infinitive.
The sentence structure is usually subject + state verb (to be, to seem, etc.) + adjective + infinitive.
Example:
• This printer is easy to operate.
• Innovative products are difficult to produce.
• This problem will be expensive to solve.
• It was rewarding to see the final result.
• It is important to follow the instructions.
• We're lucky to have such positive feedback.
• It seems too complicated to change plans now.
Note:
A complement, such as a noun or adverb, may fall before or after the adjective + infinitive
structure.
Adjective + infinitive – Exercise – The right word
This project is going to be difficult .
be done - do - doing - to do
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Determiners
Definite and indefinite articles
The indefinite article
“A” is the indefinite article in the singular.
In the plural, there is no article.
Example:
• There is a cat in our garden.
• There are cats in our garden.
The definite article
“The” is the definite article in the singular and
plural.
Example:
• The cat is in his house.
• The cats are in his house.
The indefinite article is used to introduce a
noun in a general context.
Example:
• He is a writer.
The definite article is used to introduce a
noun in a specific context.
Example:
• He is the writer of "The Sound and the
Fury."
In general, names of places do not take the
definite article. Exceptions to this rule
include compound and plural names, as well
as certain geographical features.
Example:
• We went to Peru on vacation.
• He is going to Beijing next week.
• I'm studying in the United States.
• The scenery in the Rocky Mountains is
breathtaking.
Definite and indefinite articles – Exercise – The right word
best medicine is laughter!
The - That - At - In - A – An
Definite and indefinite articles – Exercise – Sentence practice
Replace the definite article with the indefinite article where possible:
He eats the apple. He eats an apple.
He sees the house.
I wear the bow tie.
She wears the orange skirt.
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The difference between 'a' and 'an'
The indefinite article takes two forms:
'A' is used before words that begin
(phonetically) with consonants.
Note: The letters u and o are at times
pronounced as consonants. The article 'a' is
used in such cases.
Example:
• I'm a man.
• Are you a grandfather?
• That's a nice color!
Example:
• You can download a one-megabyte file.
• I study at a university for foreigners.
'An' is used before words beginning
(phonetically) with vowels.
Note: Before certain words beginning with silent
h, the article 'an' is used.
Example:
I have an uncle.
I have an apartment.
It's an expensive shop.
Example:
• An hour.
• An honest man.
The difference between 'a' and 'an' – Exercise – Grammar practice
Give the appropriate indefinite article for the words listed:
(a / an) salesman a salesman
(a / an) manager
(a / an) assistant
(a / an) receptionist
(a / an) name
(a / an) export manager
(a / an) marketing manager
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Possessive adjectives
Pronouns Singular Plural
1st person My Our
2nd person Your Your
3rd person:
masculine His Their
Feminine Her Their
neuter Its Their
The possessive adjective precedes a noun phrase. It never agrees with the noun that follows.
Example:
• I like my suit - I like my suits.
• She's visiting our house - She's visiting our houses.
Possessive adjectives – Exercise – The right word
son is beautiful.
They're - Their - They – There
Possessive adjectives – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite as in the example:
(He) mom is smart. His mom is smart.
The handsome man is (I) dad.
(You) friend is handsome.
(They) parents are nice.
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The possessive
A - Construction
An -'s is added to singular nouns (even those
ending with an -s) and to nouns in the plural
without -s.
Example:
• John's birthday
• My boss's secretary
• Children's feelings
An apostrophe (-') is added to plural nouns
ending with an -s.
Note: The second noun (that follows 's) loses its
article.
Example:
• The horses' stables
B - Use
The possessive case is used in general with names of living things, countries, groups, and
institutions.
Example:
• Iris's job
• The Ministry's officials
• Washington's economy
The possessive – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite as in the example:
This is the desk of Neil. This is Neil's desk.
This is the office of Sarah.
That is the computer of Peter.
This is the department of Neil.
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Demonstratives
Form
The demonstratives 'this' and 'that' may be used as adjectives or as pronouns. Their singular and
plural forms are as follows:
Singular Plural
This These
That Those
Use
'This' implies proximity in space or time.
Example:
• I think we met this morning.
• These muffins look good.
• This is a pencil sharpener.
'That' implies distance in space or time.
Example:
• That evening, you are invited to a cocktail
party.
• Those exercises were difficult.
• That's a nice car!
Demonstratives – Exercise – The right word
is a beautiful city!
This - These – Those
Demonstratives – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
Is a mouse?
No, it's a rat.
An is an insect.
at the butterfly! Do you like ?
look - spiders - ant - this
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'Some' - 'Any'
The article 'some' precedes a countable
plural or uncountable noun or noun phrase
and indicates an undetermined quantity.
Example:
• Could you give me some information on
your villas?
• Some children were playing outside.
The pronoun 'some' replaces a countable
plural or uncountable noun or noun phrase.
Example:
• If you like milk, I have some.
• Where are the sponges? We have to buy
some.
The article or the pronoun 'any' replaces the
article or the pronoun 'some' in an
interrogative or negative clause.
Any may also be used to express total
permission, possibility, or restriction.
Example:
• Do you have any children?
• No, we don't have any.
Permission and Restriction
Example:
Feel free to ask questions at any time during the presentation.
Employees may not leave the premises under any circumstances.
You cannot open these files at any time.
Possibility or Indifference
Example:
• Any of these designs would work well.
• You can choose any topic you think is pertinent for your presentation.
• We could meet any place that's convenient to discuss the project.
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'Some' - 'Any' – Exercise – Sentence practice
Answer the question as in the example:
Do you have any chops? Yes, we have some chops.
Do you have any roast beef?
Do you have any veal cutlets?
Do you have any chicken?
'Some' - 'Any' – Exercise – Word order
There - are - the - bottom - on - some - shelf.
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The elliptic genitive
In the elliptic genitive case, a noun is not mentioned again if its repetition is not essential to the
clarity of the sentence.
Example:
• My son is bigger than Karen's (son).
• Bill's party was as fun as Fred's (party).
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The article and geographical names
In front of the singular name of a country
(or a continent or region), no article is used.
Example:
• France, Great Britain, Spain,
• Germany, Japan, America, Wales.
Exceptions: the Sahara, the United Kingdom
('kingdom' is a common noun in origin), the
Congo, the Tyrol, the South Pole...
In front of a plural name of a country, an
article is always used.
Abbreviations of countries' names (or of
continents and regions) are preceded by an
article (the U.K., the U.S.).
Note:
Countries that take a plural name are collective
nouns and are often followed by a verb in the
singular.
Example:
• The United States, the West Indies,
• The Philippines (the Philippine Islands).
Example:
The United States is a federation of several
states.
Names of oceans, seas and rivers are always
preceded by the article 'the', but names of
lakes and ponds never have an article.
Note: Most geographical names don't have an
article, except if they are preceded by 'of' or if
they are in the plural. (Cape Cod, the Great
Lakes)
The names of streets, squares, monuments
and parks are not, in general, preceded by
an article, except if they contain the
preposition 'of,' or, in certain cases, if it
refers to foreign names.
Example:
• Fifth Avenue, Hyde Park, Westminster Abbey
• the Statue of Liberty, the Champs-Elysées
Note: the White House, the Kremlin...
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The article and geographical names – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite as in the example:
Miguel lives in Madrid. Miguel lives in Spain.
Hisako lives in Tokyo.
Pierre lives in Paris.
Li lives in Beijing
The article and geographical names – Exercise – Word order
America - age - is - The - drinking - in - legal - twenty-one
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'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many'
The indefinite adjectives (or pronouns) few, a few and many express a notion of quantity and are
used before a countable plural noun.
Few is used to stress a very small quantity.
Example:
• He has few friends.
A few is used to stress a small quantity, but
contrary to few, it is only a simple
statement.
When a few is used with the, these or those,
the indefinite article a disappears.
Example:
• He has a few friends abroad.
• The few people I met have gone.
Many is used when describing a large
quantity.
Example:
• There are many companies in that area.
Note:
Often, in the affirmative form, many is replaced by a lot of (or lots of) or plenty of.
Example: She has lots of friends.
When the noun is understood, the indefinite adjectives become indefinite pronouns.
Example: These students are working hard and many (students) are quite clever.
'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many'– Exercise – Fill in the blanks
Do you know nice?
I am .
I know of people.
I have aunts and uncles.
lots - single - anybody – many
'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many'– Exercise – Word order
black - rock - many - stars - wear - leather
Nominal and modifiers – A1 level
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'Little' - 'A little' - 'Much'
The indefinite adjectives (or pronouns) little, a little and much express a notion of quantity and are
used before an uncountable singular noun.
Little is used to stress a very small quantity.
Example:
• There is very little juice left.
A little is used when describing a small
quantity, but contrary to little, it is only a
simple statement.
Example:
• There is a little juice in the fridge, if you
want.
Much is used when describing a large
quantity.
Example:
• We have much work to do today.
• There isn't much coffee left.
Note:
Often, in the affirmative form, much is replaced by a lot of or plenty of.
Example: There's a lot of tea in China.
When the noun is understood, the indefinite adjectives become indefinite pronouns.
Example: There is little (juice) left.
'Little' - 'A little' - 'Much' – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
we go! The beginning of our vacation!
Watch ! The brooms are going to fall out! Is this a gas cooker?
The cooking burners aren't clean!
We're not going to do with just two pans!
Let's go and get sandwiches and eat them the beach. Oh yes, let's forget all this.
very - about - there - on - out - much
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Nominal and modifiers - Solutions
Pronouns – Solution(s)
Subject pronouns – Solution(s)
Subject pronouns – Exercise – The right word
We are married.
Subject pronouns – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
He is my brother.
Do you have a sister?
Does she have a job?
I am a teacher.
Object pronouns – Solution(s)
Object pronouns – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
I Me
You You
He Him
She Her
It It
We Us
They Them
Object pronouns – Exercise – The right word
Can I deliver them on Friday the fifth?
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Use of the pronoun 'one' – Solution(s)
Use of the pronoun 'one'– Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
a chocolate cake, a marble cake a chocolate cake and a marble one
A big chicken, a small chicken A big chicken and a small one
One strawberry tart, one apple tart A strawberry tart and an apple one
One strawberry tart and one apple one
One strawberry tart and an apple one
Some frozen peas, some fresh peas Some frozen peas and some fresh ones
Two blueberry muffins, one bran muffin Two blueberry muffins and a bran one
Two blueberry muffins and one bran one
A yellow onion, a white onion A yellow onion and a white one
Four paper bags, two plastic bags Four paper bags and two plastic ones
Use of the pronoun 'one'– Exercise – The right word
Which of these actors do you prefer? This one!
Use of the pronoun 'one'– Exercise – Fill in the blanks
I need a comb. Do you have one?
What is this?
It's a pencil. Where is it? On my desk. Good idea! Yes, I think so.
Interrogative words – Solution(s)
Interrogative words – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
how (you / to spell) it How do you spell it?
Where (he / to work) Where does he work?
How (she / to call back) How does she call back?
Who (we / to want) Who do we want?
What (they / to want) What do they want?
How (it / to speak) How does it speak?
Who (I / to phone) Who do I phone?
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Interrogative words – Exercise – The right word
Where is the Statue of Liberty?
Interrogative words – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
Which ruler is mine?
Where is the stapler?
Why did you put it there?
Whose tape is this?
‘How much’ – ‘How many’ – Solution(s)
‘How much’ – ‘How many’– Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
How (much / many) eggs How many eggs
How (much / many) bread How much bread
How (much / many) money How much money
How (much / many) people How many people
How (much / many) soda How much soda
How (much / many) books How many books
How (much / many) time How much time
‘How much’ – ‘How many’– Exercise – The right word
How much tea would you like?
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Possessive pronouns – Solution(s)
Possessive pronouns – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
it's our office it's ours
it's his task It's his
It is his
it's my job It's mine
It is mine
it's your team It's yours
It is yours
it's her project It's hers
It is hers
it's their secret It's theirs
It is theirs
it's our responsibility It's ours
It is ours
Possessive pronouns – Exercise – Word order
This is the same carpet as ours, isn't it?
'Everybody' - 'Nobody' – Solution(s)
'Everybody' - 'Nobody' – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite the following sentences as in the example:
My co-workers are very friendly. Everybody is very friendly.
My co-workers work very hard. Everybody works very hard.
My co-workers don't arrive late at the office. Nobody arrives late at the office
My co-workers are really helpful. Everybody is really helpful.
Everybody's really helpful.
'Everybody' - 'Nobody' – Exercise – Word order
Nobody likes being called stupid!
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Relative pronouns and adverbs – Solution(s)
Relative pronouns and Adverbs – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
What's just before one thousand?
I know how to spell Tuesday.
I also know Thursday, that's when I play tennis.
Where are you? In my bedroom.
Relative pronouns and Adverbs – Exercise – Word order
I met a man named Slim who was anything but that.
'Which' - 'What' – Solution(s)
'Which' - 'What' – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
Which is your favorite season?
How many people are with you?
What time is it?
When is your birthday?
Nouns – Solution(s)
The plural – Solution(s)
The plural – Exercise – Grammar practice
Rewrite as in the example:
a skirt (black) a black skirt
The women (beautiful) The beautiful women
Hair (long) Long hair
A restaurant (Vietnamese) A Vietnamese restaurant
The eyes (brown) The brown eyes
A question (hard) A hard question
The socks (ugly) The ugly socks
The plural – Exercise – The right word
Are they your children?
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Construction of compound nouns – Solution(s)
Construction of compound nouns – Exercise – Word order
Our sales figures are increasing.
Use of compound nouns – Solution(s)
Use of compound nouns – Exercise – Word order
The sales representative sold twenty scanners this week.
Nouns without singular forms – Solution(s)
Nouns without singular forms– Exercise – The right word
Scissors can be used to cut hair.
Nouns without singular forms– Exercise – Fill in the blanks
This is a pencil sharpener.
Scotch tape.
A stapler? Use the glue. Are these your scissors?
I need a comb. Do you have one? No, but I have a brush.
Singular nouns in '-s' – Solution(s)
Singular nouns in '-s' – Exercise – Word order
I had a nice day, but your good news was the icing on the cake.
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Adjectives – Solution(s)
Placing the adjectives – Solution(s)
Placing the adjectives – Exercise – The right word
Boiling water is extremely hot.
Placing the adjectives – Exercise – Sentence practice
Put the following phrases in the right order:
computers / these / large / are These are large computers.
cheap / are / computers / they They are cheap computers.
They're cheap computers.
is / expensive / an / it / computer It is an expensive computer.
It's an expensive computer.
is / saleswoman / a / she / new She is a new saleswoman.
She's a new saleswoman.
Verbs expressing impressions and feelings – Solution(s)
Verbs expressing impressions and feelings – Exercise – Word order
It doesn't look like the villa in the brochure!
Adjective + infinitive – Solution(s)
Adjective + infinitive – Exercise – The right word
This project is going to be difficult to do.
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Determiners – Solution(s)
Definite and indefinite articles – Solution(s)
Definite and indefinite articles – Exercise – The right word
The best medicine is laughter!
Definite and indefinite articles – Exercise – Sentence practice
Replace the definite article with the indefinite article where possible:
He eats the apple. He eats an apple.
He sees the house. He sees a house.
I wear the bow tie. I wear a bow tie.
She wears the orange skirt. She wears an orange skirt.
The difference between 'a' and 'an' – Solution(s)
The difference between 'a' and 'an' – Exercise – Grammar practice
Give the appropriate indefinite article for the words listed:
(a / an) salesman A salesman
(a / an) manager A manager
(a / an) assistant An assistant
(a / an) receptionist A receptionist
(a / an) name A name
(a / an) export manager An export manager
(a / an) marketing manager A marketing manager
Possessive adjectives – Solution(s)
Possessive adjectives – Exercise – The right word
Their son is beautiful.
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Possessive adjectives – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite as in the example:
(He) mom is smart. His mom is smart.
The handsome man is (I) dad. The handsome man is my dad.
The handsome man's my dad.
(You) friend is handsome. Your friend is handsome.
Your friend's handsome.
(They) parents are nice. Their parents are nice.
The possessive – Solution(s)
The possessive – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite as in the example:
This is the desk of Neil. This is Neil's desk.
This is the office of Sarah. This is Sarah's office.
That is the computer of Peter. That is Peter's computer.
That's Peter's computer.
This is the department of Neil. This is Neil's department.
Demonstratives – Solution(s)
Demonstratives – Exercise – The right word
This is a beautiful city!
Demonstratives – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
Is this a mouse?
No, it's a rat.
An ant is an insect.
Look at the butterfly! Do you like spiders?
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'Some' - 'Any' – Solution(s)
'Some' - 'Any' – Exercise – Sentence practice
Answer the question as in the example:
Do you have any chops? Yes, we have some chops.
Do you have any roast beef? Yes, we have some roast beef.
Yes, I have some roast beef.
Do you have any veal cutlets? Yes, we have some veal cutlets.
Yes, I have some veal cutlets.
Do you have any chicken? Yes, we have some chicken.
Yes, I have some chicken.
'Some' - 'Any' – Exercise – Word order
There are some on the bottom shelf.
The article and geographical names – Solution(s)
The article and geographical names – Exercise – Sentence practice
Rewrite as in the example:
Miguel lives in Madrid. Miguel lives in Spain.
Hisako lives in Tokyo. Hisako lives in Japan.
Pierre lives in Paris. Pierre lives in France.
Li lives in Beijing Li lives in China.
Li lives in the People's Republic of China.
The article and geographical names – Exercise – Word order
The legal drinking age in America is twenty-one.
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'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many' – Solution(s)
'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many'– Exercise – Fill in the blanks
Do you know anybody nice?
I am single.
I know lots of people.
I have many aunts and uncles
'Few' - 'A few' - 'Many'– Exercise – Word order
Many rock stars wear black leather.
'Little' - 'A little' - 'Much' – Solution(s)
'Little' - 'A little' - 'Much' – Exercise – Fill in the blanks
There we go! The beginning of our vacation!
Watch out ! The brooms are going to fall out!
Is this a gas cooker?
The cooking burners aren't very clean!
We're not going to do much with just two pans!
Let's go and get sandwiches and eat them on the beach. Oh yes, let's forget about all this.
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ENGLISH
SPANISH
FRENCH
GERMAN
ITALIAN
DUTCH